usvi-on-line
Ever hear of anyone who DID NOT love St John?
actually in defense of the negative Westin post...yes the beach used to be so so so infested with seaweed, my kids wouldn't get in. It was horrible. It was like that for years.
the resort actually had people hired to come every am and night and take huge bags of it out of the water. My girls loved watching them.
we always stay there at the tail end of our trips complements of Starwood points. Last year I didn't notice the seaweed so perhaps it is better.
there was also a year where our room was quite dirty and had ants.
I think it is better now. That review was over the top (negative), but I am amazed that people pay so much to go there, the rooms are not that great and actually kind of are poor for Westin expectations.
I have no idea about timeshare rooms.
the resort actually had people hired to come every am and night and take huge bags of it out of the water. My girls loved watching them.
we always stay there at the tail end of our trips complements of Starwood points. Last year I didn't notice the seaweed so perhaps it is better.
there was also a year where our room was quite dirty and had ants.
I think it is better now. That review was over the top (negative), but I am amazed that people pay so much to go there, the rooms are not that great and actually kind of are poor for Westin expectations.
I have no idea about timeshare rooms.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Found out the day we and our traveling partners were heading to the airport that she does not like flying and has to take a xanax and a couple drinks to fly. Did not think that much about it, but let me tell you she would rather fly any day than ride in the backseat of a wrangler in STJ! I had to constantly look at that green stare in my rear view window. Needless to say we only spent a day on STJ. Not like STT is all that much better though 
Heres to hoping the inlaws don't get carsick
Heres to hoping the inlaws don't get carsick
There are a lot of travelers out there that are nervous adventurers. They like the security of all-inclusives or cruises, or going to the same time-share over and over again.
In our group of friends, it is the minority that like the type of environment that STJ offers. The folks that do not like that type of vacation cannot see outside the box and think that it is extremely limited in "stuff to do". They do not understand that snorkeling at 3 beaches in one day and grilling a burger by the pool, while enjoying a cold one, with your swimsuit still on is heaven.
We grew up with diving and snorkeling and since we are now living in a land-locked State, every vacation is to water and a beach. The common thread for those that do not like STJ is that they don't like to get into the water.
In our group of friends, it is the minority that like the type of environment that STJ offers. The folks that do not like that type of vacation cannot see outside the box and think that it is extremely limited in "stuff to do". They do not understand that snorkeling at 3 beaches in one day and grilling a burger by the pool, while enjoying a cold one, with your swimsuit still on is heaven.
We grew up with diving and snorkeling and since we are now living in a land-locked State, every vacation is to water and a beach. The common thread for those that do not like STJ is that they don't like to get into the water.
From the Westin review on TA
For the rest of our trip we stayed in and skipped dinner eating candy and chips for our meal and rented movies since there is no nightlife whatsoever.
This just killed me. I understand if you don't like the food at The Westin. But to be so narrow minded as to not seek out something else is just ridiculous. Sounds like they were the type to never leave the resort.
I rarely recommend STJ to anyone for a vacation. Most people that I know seem to like the resort on the beach experience or look for cheap AI deals. In fact, several of my co-workers were grossed out by chickens being on the beaches or in town.
For the rest of our trip we stayed in and skipped dinner eating candy and chips for our meal and rented movies since there is no nightlife whatsoever.
This just killed me. I understand if you don't like the food at The Westin. But to be so narrow minded as to not seek out something else is just ridiculous. Sounds like they were the type to never leave the resort.
I rarely recommend STJ to anyone for a vacation. Most people that I know seem to like the resort on the beach experience or look for cheap AI deals. In fact, several of my co-workers were grossed out by chickens being on the beaches or in town.
Going "home" again October 26th!
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aroobagirl
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NoWorriesMom
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- Location: Boulder, Colorado
My husband needed time to let St. John grow on him. His first impression off the ferry of the drunk bums in the park and on the street seemed to take something away from the overall experience. Me, I just move on past to the glorious beaches. Who wants to see only a resort or crusie ship anyway!?! There's a real world out there and it isn't all perfect. However, parts of it sure are!
a colleague of mine went, stayed at the westin. she said she wouldn't go back because the travel day was a pain in the ass.
most of my colleagues are resort-type people who need to be able to do lots of comforting/safe stuff like go to chain restaurants that they like and go to the movies etc. i don't get that at all. why would i pay to go on vaca to do the same stuff i do at home?
most of my colleagues are resort-type people who need to be able to do lots of comforting/safe stuff like go to chain restaurants that they like and go to the movies etc. i don't get that at all. why would i pay to go on vaca to do the same stuff i do at home?
I only have one real rule on vacation: No chain restaurants.
Needless to say, when I heard that STJ had only local establishments and the only place to get a good cup of coffee was to make it at your villa with beans from Ruth, I knew this would be my kind of place.
I have never gotten that. If I wanted to do the same things I do at home (shopping is a prime example) and eat at the same places, I'd just go do it and save the few grand that I drop on travel and lodging.
Needless to say, when I heard that STJ had only local establishments and the only place to get a good cup of coffee was to make it at your villa with beans from Ruth, I knew this would be my kind of place.
I have never gotten that. If I wanted to do the same things I do at home (shopping is a prime example) and eat at the same places, I'd just go do it and save the few grand that I drop on travel and lodging.
I enjoyed this quote from a recent Tripadvisor review of Caneel Bay:
"St John is best to to be visited for a day ...no need to stay overnight."
Also enjoyed this quote from a Westin review last spring:
"This is the first vacation we felt like we couldn’t wait to get back home. If we could have changed our flight, we would have. Usually, we are wishing we could stay a few days longer."
Finally, although a bit off-topic, I found this hint from a Tripadvisor review amusing as well:
"The key to a good time with the local staff is to be friendly and speak to them."
"St John is best to to be visited for a day ...no need to stay overnight."
Also enjoyed this quote from a Westin review last spring:
"This is the first vacation we felt like we couldn’t wait to get back home. If we could have changed our flight, we would have. Usually, we are wishing we could stay a few days longer."
Finally, although a bit off-topic, I found this hint from a Tripadvisor review amusing as well:
"The key to a good time with the local staff is to be friendly and speak to them."
---Jim
I had a Caribbean lobster at Red Lobster once. I missed the rock and thought it would be a good way to get my island vibe.
Yep. No chain restaurants.
I used to have a boyfriend who only wanted to go to Applebee's, Cracker Barrel or have Papa Johns bring a pizza to the hotel. Funny thing is, now we are best friends and when I go to visit him in Atlanta, do you think I can go to Zaxby's? No. And I think chain restaurants I don't have at home are exempt.
Yep. No chain restaurants.
I used to have a boyfriend who only wanted to go to Applebee's, Cracker Barrel or have Papa Johns bring a pizza to the hotel. Funny thing is, now we are best friends and when I go to visit him in Atlanta, do you think I can go to Zaxby's? No. And I think chain restaurants I don't have at home are exempt.